Among More Than Two Dozen Weapons Systems Compromised By Electronic Intrusion

A confidential Pentagon report shows that Chinese cyberspies have collected data on more than two dozen U.S. weapons systems, including the F-35, the V-22 Osprey, and the Black Hawk helicopter.

The report, which was obtained by the Washington Post, indicates that Chinese cyber-espoinage compromised sensitive information that allowed that country to develop its version of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft much more quickly than it could have on its own. That hack was reportedly accomplished in 2007.

A public version of the report released in January indicated that "(w)hile DoD takes great care to secure the use and operation of the “hardware” of its weapon systems, these security practices have not kept up with the cyber adversary tactics and capabilities. Further, the same level of resource and attention is not spent on the complex network of information technology (IT) systems that are used to support and operate those weapons or critical cyber capabilities embedded within them. This Task Force was asked to review and make recommendations to improve the resilience of DoD systems to cyber attacks and to develop a set of metrics that the Department could use to track progress and shape investment priorities." The list was contained in the confidential version of the report.

The report marks the first time the Pentagon has specifically named the Chinese government and its military as being the source of the cyber espionage. The paper reports that the document does not include specifics of the timing or depth of the security breaches.

FMI: Public Report